Sabbath Snapshots: Colorado (w/ 2 OK)

12/18/11 A week of worship and joy with family---What a blessing to have all 15 together for the first time in over 2 years!

A somber reminder of April 1995 and the Oklahoma Federal Building bombing Church spire in background appears to be keeping watch---Reflections of the survivor tree at the OK City National Memorial---"Saturday" bath, so dubbed by Grandaddy Brud years ago---Bows on our toes keep out the CO cold---I prefer the spa room---Ready for an afternoon snow "drive"---Superb sledding for a 9, almost 10, yr. oldSuperb sledding for a 7, almost 8, yr. old---Superb sledding for a "barely" 6 yr. old---Superb sledding for a 4 yr. old in midst of snow shower---Superb sledding for little guys---Superb sledding for an old lady---Icicle taller than a 4 yr. old---Fireplace dryer---Blue skies and quaking aspens---Quaint Salida house, one of many---Holiday Park tree for my knitting buddies---Salida Nativity---Bird's church house---4th Sunday Advent service: Liles style"Grands" opening Advent gifts, books of course---
Quiet end to a Sabbath week---

FRIDAY FRANTIC FUN!

12/16/11 If one 4 yr. old brings excitement to travel, stir in a 9 year old, 7 yr. old, 6 yr. old, 3 year old and a 1 yr. old and make them all male.

"Bright eyes gladden the heart..." (Proverbs 15:30) That's what Owen looked like when he saw his cousins at breakfast the next day. (Since this was also a HI Xpress, he quickly introduced them to the fine art of pan-a-cake" making! Once again, we ALL ate pan-a-cakes.)

Leaving the Hereford (think, chicken coop) smell of Amarillo behind us,

we caravaned through wide open Texas landscapes and volcanoes in New Mexico



to the windy mountain passes of Colorado.






.....




At the Carney's
"unbelievable" mountain home










we met up with the Brooklyn Liles---adding a sweet baby girl to the mix. (Molly's Corey flew in later)














....The unloading began. What a flurry of "stuff." Sleds, gloves, boots, heavy coats, ski equipment---enough food and games for weeks, if needed.

And so the fun began---sometimes messy, loud, and frustrating, unnerving, unpredictable, … did I say frustrating?
I felt responsible for making sure everyone was fed and cared for. Patience was needed. Cooking became hot messy work. Just clearing the table after the feeding of the 15-17 took time. The counter was filled with chips, cracker, marshmallows, hot choc pack, etc. and was always a mess.

Overseeing people always gets messy. It would be easier to leave the kitchen spotless, take off, and order in but NOT if I can help it.

A good sense of humor helps tons as does tons of grace. My patience wasn't always evident. Thank goodness I had help from a daughter & 2 daughter-in-laws and sons who tolerate me when I get overbearing!




Then an obscure verse that Sarah Butler showed me years ago came to mind.
Where no oxen are, the manger is clean,
But much increase comes by the strength of the ox. (Proverbs 14:4)

Serving is not always easy, neat, and tidy but....the rewards are there in the making---my grands (my oxen) can go on to serving others and a strong harvest!

I much prefered a messy “filled” barn than the need for a clean barn. So, I went up to the loft and read a Christmas story to John Parker before his nap.

Reflections & Robots

12/15/11 Praising the Lord for seeing the world through the eyes of a 4 yr. old as Owen travels with us to the slopes. Long hours in a car totally "plugged in" make even a simple HI Xpress room look inviting---so no jumping on bed reminders were given before bedtime. This morning the first words out of his mouth when he pulled the "back-out' drapes to look out the window, "WHOA! It's a beautiful day out there." "...a cheerful heart has a continual feast." (Proverbs 15:15)
4 yr olds are just so excited about everything---especially a machine that's like a "pan-a-cake" robot. We probably made enough pan-a-cakes for all in the room---glad that they were tasty!

COLORADO CHRISTMAS

12/14/11 Leaving as soon as I shut down this computer! Will post when I can............
Christmas Blessings to all!

Prayer: from meditation to dialogue

12/12/11 Morning prayer time had me petitioning the Lord to "give ear" to my prayers. David prayed similarly in Psalm 17: 6. "I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words." (ESV) Yet my heart was reminded that I needed to afford the Lord the same opportunity. I needed to offer my ear to hear from Him. Prayer is a two-way communication.
In Habakkuk, the prophet dialogued with God. He waited to hear from God and even considered His reply. I need to consider his model.
Like a sentinel keeping watch on the wall of his city, he waited expectantly for God's reply. Waiting is often part of the listening.

I will stand on my guard post And station myself on the rampart; And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me,....(Habakkuk 2:1, RSV)

When the Lord does reply, He instructs Habakkuk to record it and share it as a herald, of sorts----that I can understand. (Sounds a little like journaling and blogging.)

Today my ear was open to hear. Was yours?

Often we just have to be willing---even willing to wait.

Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints, to those who turn to him in their hearts. (Psalm 85:8)

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: MEMPHIS TO PICKWICK & BACK

12/11/11
WOMEN'S MINISTRY DINNER----
A LIVE PAINTING UNFOLDS "Divine Imagery:
Finding Christ....

• 

in the Canvas of our Lives."
I LOVE NANDINA BERRIES EVEN WHEN ICE COVERED
PICKWICK LODGE HOLIDAY LIGHTS TRAIL---
FROM FISHING & DANCING SANTAS...



TO BOATS & TRAINS ---


AND "THE REASON FOR THE SEASON"






LESSONS AND CAROLS---
CHOIR & ORCHESTRA IN ONE ACCORD---

A GREAT - ENDING---"HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING"
1152---FROM THE MANGER TO THE CROSS

Where's Waldo??????????

12/10/11 Lately daughter, Molly has felt like she has been playing "Where's Waldo?" but with the book Jesus Calling. The security guard had it open at the apartment of her grapic designer. One of her "Brooks Art Gallery's" teachers at a parochial school in an impoverished neighborhood had one on her desk. It had been given to her by a fellow teacher who knew she was going through a hard time. She, like the other recipients, kept the "little book with the big blessing" chain going as they too passed it on to loved ones and other teachers.
Both the security guard and the teacher shared the same comment. "This little book meets me right where I am every day. It's like it is written just for me."
I too have "found" Jesus Calling everywhere from an equestrian camp barn in middle Tennessee to nurses stations in Dallas hospitals and the receptionist desk at a Memphis heart clinic. Just this week I found one at the St. Jude gift shop and tonight at a Christmas dinner, I found one on a table in a sunroom at a home in Pickwick.
Responses have been the same as the ones my Molly related to me. I remember an e-mail from Sarah Young where she told me that she prays daily for those people who are reading Jesus Calling. I wonder if she prays that the Lord will use the words of each entry to meet her readers at the point of their need for that day. If so, that prayer is being answered in a BIG way.
Thanks Sarah for your words and the chosen scriptures that help so many of us enjoy peace in His Presence from your book. It's been an exciting hunt these last few years to see all the places Jesus Calling shows up.
It's a lot more fun than Finding Waldo---just ask my daughter!

Friday Findings

12/9/11 Noticing notes jotted all over my fading yellow legal pad, I decided to share some of my most recent "finds."

"written under the influence of grace"---that's my desire to write under His influence.

Nourish your soul with Bible reading. It will prepare a spiritual feast for you. (Augustine)

Prayer is union with God.....reconciles people to God, produces holy tears, forms a bridge over temptations, and acts as a buttress between us and afflictions. (Spidlik, Thomas, Drinking From the Hidden Fountain p. 355)

Prayer is born of joy and gratitude. Prayer makes gentleness blossom in the heart. (?)

It is better to pray in the silence of the heart than to pray only with words, without the mind paying attention. (Spidlik, Thomas, Drinking From the Hidden Fountain p. 367)

Many people want to direct God instead of surrendering themselves to be directed by Him. (Madame Guyon)

Order my steps in thy word: ... Direct my steps according to thy word: (Psalm 119:193)

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23)

...repentance is the gift of God. If you ever cease to know the virtue of repentance, you are in darkness. Examine yourself. (My Utmost for His Highest, 12/7)

I never meant for you to be self sufficient. I crafted your longings and feelings of incompleteness to point you to me. (Jesus Calling, 12/8)

“God appoints people who do disappoint – to point to a God who never disappoints.” (Ann Voskamp 12/8)

Joy sometimes needs pain to give it birth. (Streams in the Desert, p. 457)